As Halloween draws nearer, the Food Network is celebrating with a new special: “Halloween Baking Championships.” The new special will feature two of Baltimore’s very own, going head to head against competitors across the country to make the spookiest and most delicious desserts.
According to the Baltimore Sun, the special will feature Erin Cooper and Jason Hisley.
Cooper is 33 years old and a baker for Sodexo at Stevenson University; on the side, she runs her own baking business, called “Erin’s Delights.”
Meanwhile, Hisley, 26, is no stranger to the Food Network. Hisley is a previous champion of “Cupcake Wars,” and had competed on the shows “Sweet Genius” and “Cutthroat Kitchen.” Hisley also owns two bake shops called La Cakerie, located in Mount Vernon and Towson.
Along with five other contestants, the two Baltimore residents will compete head-to-head in a quest to win $25,000.
Seasonally speaking, June is the most popular time of year for ice cream and the month when most of it is produced. But October boasts a different fare of warm baked goods and trick or treat candy.
For the challenge, the contestants will go through six rounds, asked to make creations ranging from spooky graveyard desserts to “creepy cupcakes.”
In an interview, upcoming judge of the baking championship, Sherry Yard, told Food Network she was looking for “decadently, devilishly delicious” treats.
Yard is a world-renowned pastry chef and was previously Wolfgang Puck’s pastry chef for his worldwide operations. Since then, she has produced television shows for Puck and other chefs.
And she even had some words advice for the competitors.
“Take your time,” Yard said. “Make it taste delicious, and don’t get too ambitious, as time runs out really quick!”
So who will win the spooky competition? Only time will tell.
But in the meantime, tune in to cheer on the local competitors! It’s certain to be an absolute scream of a time.